The Dragons were happy that they managed to take the front line away from the Phoenix, but news came that Ruandeurtin was taken over by the Empress and was given to Aldred.
They did not think much of it. Ruandeurtin was only one section of the entire battle. The Empress couldn't possibly get much benefit from it.
But Lord Athar thought otherwise. Since Aldred was the one who obtained the treasure, his power must have been greater than normal Diamond Ranks. It was also weird that the Empress focused her army on Aldred.
With this speculation, Lord Athar decided to increase his army.
The other noble lords followed his footsteps. They did not know why he did what he did, but it had been proven that following him was a very wise decision time and time again.
A few days later, they received a shocking news that Aldred had attacked first. He and his massive armies given by the Empress easily rolled through the first fort—Coinnerelle.
Coinnerelle had stood against the Ceraisian attacks for years. It was one of the most heavily attacked fort in the war. For it to be taken down in a day was quite impressive and shocking.
But the higher ups did not think much about it. They simply thought that they had to attack as well.
And so they pushed towards the west, entering the Montcresia border. They took fort and cities effortlessly.
Aldred arrived in front of a large city. Sprawling massive armies stood behind him, ready to attack. Pharder was beside him. He was assigned as the Vice Captain for Aldred. He wanted to leave, but the Dragons ordered him to stay so he could spy on Aldred.
Aldred was his enemies, and he knew Pharder tried to kill him numerous times. Acting as his spy wouldn't be very effective, but he had to follow order.
"I would suggest you not attack this city," Pharder said.
"And why would I heed your advice?" Aldred asked.
"This city is the home town of the famous warrior Ercor Slatefeather. He is an old-time Diamond Rank, and was known to fight multiple Diamond Ranks at once and win."
"So you're scared?" Aldred sneered. "Pussy."
Pharder gritted his teeth in anger. "If he come here, I will not help you fight him."
"I don't need cowards to help me."
'Bastard!' Veins bulged on Pharder's forehead. 'After this war is over, I will surely kill you'
Aldred looked up. "So that's him."
He leaped off the ground, cracking the earth as he shot into the sky. Aldred swung his weapon and it clanged against a massive black axe.
BOOM!
The sky shattered for a fraction of a second before it returned to normal.
Aldred smiled as he looked at the man in front of him. He was tall with muscular built. And his arms were as thick as a tree trunk.
"So this is, Darius?" Pharder was shocked to see the man and his powerful aura. With this power, he could even fight three to five low-Diamond Ranks. That also mean he could kill Aldred.
Pharder smiled. What a foolish boy.
Unbeknown to Pharder however, Darius was not Aldred's enemy.
'So when do I pretend to lose?' Darius asked with telepathy.
'After you receive one direct attack from me.'
'Alright.'
Pharder stood still with excitement at the thought that Aldred was going to be killed.
But a few seconds later.
"DIE!" Aldred slashed Ercor's shoulder.
"Aghh!" He crashed to the ground.
"Eh…" Pharder blinked a few times. What the hell just happened?
Aldred then combusted a huge flame over Ercor's body before he secretly teleported away.
"Hahaha. Too easy!"
Pharder stared at Aldred as he was laughing maniacally in the sky. "This is impossible. One single attack and Ercor Slatefeather was defeated?"
Pharder could hardly believed it, but he still had to send this information to the others.
…
"Aldred managed to kill Ercor Slatefeather?" Lord Athar was shocked by this news. This also confirmed his suspicion that he was the Empress main card.
With this piece of information, Athar couldn't hold back anymore and called for his armies in the other parts of the empire.
Naturally, the others also did the same thing.
And days later, Lord Athar told his army to attack as fast as possible.
The Holy State of Montcresia was swarmed with armies from the west. They had never experienced such an attack before. Cities were destroyed every single day.
This shocked the entire continent. Especially Thignia and Torvenia since they were directly bordered with the Ceraisian Empire. They had watched the war with amusement, but now they were in fear.
What if the Ceraisian Empire attacked them next? The Holy State of Montcresia didn't seem to put up a good fight against the armies. They hadn't even send their heroes out yet which meant that they were cowards and probably gathered their forces in one place. This let them had greater strength.
Even if that was the case, their cities and territories were taken, so it was still a lost in their part.
The whole continent trembled after this fact. So many cities were taken, and the Montcresia couldn't do anything about it.
Aldred smiled when he see the plan worked. The Dragons had entered deep into Montcresia's territory.
So the next plan could begin.
…
Lord Athar was sitting in his office. One piece of paper materialized in the air, and landed above his desk. He read it, then put it away before another paper appeared.
"The war is going well, but Aldred is still ahead of us. But the Dragons couldn't be underestimated. The Empress put too much trust on Aldred." Lord Athar laughed.
Suddenly, he frowned and pulled out his blade, then slashed to the side.
Three swordswomen blocked his attack, and then another four pointed their swords at his neck.
Two magicians were standing on the side.
He was completely surrounded. "What is the meaning of this?"
"You are captured for treason. Come with us."
Lord Athar was confused at first, and then he realized something. "You all should be helping Aldred in the front line. But here you are… so that is your plan."
They smiled. "You realized it a little too late."
…
All over the Empires, one noble after another was captured. None could escape. None could fight back because their Diamond Ranks were fighting a war in the front line.
The Phoenix captured thousands of nobles in a single day. They had to be quick, they had to be decisive, because any delay would destroy their plan.
The army kept fighting in the front line. Easily taking over one city after another without receiving any significant resistance.
They all thought that the Montcresia gathered their heroes in the capital and did not dare to send them out.
However, they did now know that it was all a bait to lure them in, and away from their lords at home.
…
Edeline entered the throne hall. The Emperor sat there in his throne, currently manhandling a maid.
When he saw the Empress bringing a lot of Diamond Ranks with him, the Emperor frowned and threw away the maid.
"What is the meaning of this?"
"I am taking over the throne," Edeline said. "You are not worthy of it."
"So you are ready for a civil war? The Duria and Selia is going after us, and you want to start the civil war now? If that is what you want it is fine by me."
"There will be no civil war."
Her subordinates rushed at the Emperor.
"Guards!" The Emperor shouted.
Twenty Diamond Rank appeared in the throne hall.
Edeline snapped her finger, and sixty Diamond Ranks entered the room.
"Why did you bring so many… wait, none of them went to the front line! You tricked us all!"
Edeline smiled. This was the first time the Emperor had seen her wore that expression.
"I have someone else to replace you in that seat."
